Mon, Jul 06, 2009

Caliente

Video game reviews

Tucson, Arizona | Published: 07.24.2008
LOL
(DS, $20, Rated E) — A cross between "Mad Libs" and "Pictionary," "LOL" is less a game than a venue for friends to make fun of one another.
Players, each of whom needs a DS, connect wirelessly and a predesignated leader sends out a task to the others, asking them to fill in a blank or draw a picture. After everyone's done, people vote on the winner. You could do the same thing with a notebook or the Pictochat program that comes preloaded on the DS, but the game's user-friendly interface keeps things streamlined.
You won't find the game in stores (a new version anyway) . It's only available on the company's Web site, agetec.com. NCAA Football 09
(Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PlayStation 2, PSP, $40-$60, Rated E) — It's pretty much more of the same in the latest annual iteration of the only college football simulator, which is just what series aficionados will want to hear.
The game is a near pitch-perfect replica of college ball in all its exuberance, such as raucous crowds, inventive offenses, as well as its annoyances — players called down without contact, needless time stoppages unnecessarily extending games.
"NCAA Football 09" continues to smooth out the series' gameplay kinks and add detail to the graphics and animations. Probably the most significant new feature is an online franchise mode that lets you compete with strangers for star recruits in the offseason. There's also a mode that lets you play as teams that consist solely of puffy-suited mascots. Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution
(Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, DS, $30-$60, Rated E) — A mainstay on computers for most of the past couple decades, this turn-based strategy game puts you in control of a civilization and has you guide them through the ages, forging alliances, researching technologies and waging war to become the greatest superpower.
With a smooth, console-friendly interface (and well-honed touchscreen control for the DS), the game casts a spell on you, urging you to guide your people along for a few more turns as you scheme your way to domination.
It's nice to see online play included, as well as the Civilopedia, which teaches you strategy and intriguing historical facts and gives insight into the development of culture and military might. SoulCalibur
(Xbox 360, $10, Rated T) — Hailed by many upon its 1999 release as the greatest fighting game ever made, "SoulCalibur" is still strong and endlessly entertaining in its download-only rerelease. But the genre has moved past "SoulCalibur," and its sequels ("SoulCalibur IV" is due out next week) have richer feature sets and game modes.
The original "SoulCalibur" is no longer close to the best fighting game, but has held up better than, say, the older "Mortal Kombat" titles.
You fight as handsomely coiffed musclemen, women and beasts who wield weapons and execute special moves at opportune times, winning best-of-three-round matches by depleting opponents' health or knocking them out of the ring.
It's a nearly inexcusable offense that the game doesn't have online multiplayer, but at least the computer's difficulty level goes up high enough to make you slam your controller in frustration.
— Phil Villarreal